Maraida Caraballo Martínez has been an educator in Puerto Rico for 28 years and the director of Escuela de la Comunidad Jaime C. Rodríguez for seven years. The annual government funding her school receives is unpredictable, fluctuating from $36,000 to $12,000. However, during the Biden administration, Caraballo saw a significant change with a $250,000 federal grant. This unprecedented amount was used to enhance educational resources such as books, computers, robotics programs, and to build a sports track.
Yabucoa, a southeastern town in Puerto Rico, was severely affected by Hurricane Maria in 2017. This school community, like many others on the island, has faced constant disruptions from natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Puerto Rican education system, the seventh-largest school district in the U.S., is also burdened by heavy debt, emigration, and an unstable power grid. The island has seen seven local education secretaries in eight years, contributing to the instability.
Under President Biden, there were modest advancements supported by significant federal funding and sustained attention from federal education officials. Yet, there is concern about potential dismantling of these efforts under a new administration. Former President Donald Trump expressed disdain for Puerto Rico, once suggesting trading it for Greenland. His administration withheld federal aid post-Hurricane Maria and proposed eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, actions that could severely impact Puerto Rico.
Trump’s executive order to make English the official language has caused concerns, as only 1 in 5 Puerto Ricans speak English fluently, with Spanish being the primary language of instruction. Educators worry that transferring federal funds directly to the local government would worsen outcomes for vulnerable children, given the historical issues of political interference and lack of transparency in the Department of Education of Puerto Rico (DEPR).
Under Biden’s Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, nearly $6 billion was allocated to Puerto Rico’s educational system. This funding led to a historic teacher salary increase, after-school tutoring programs, and the hiring of mental health professionals. Cardona also initiated a pilot program to decentralize DEPR, with Chris Soto acting as a key liaison. Soto’s extensive visits to Puerto Rico fostered a sense of partnership rather than top-down mandates.
The pilot program emphasized decentralization, allowing local communities to elect education advisory councils and superintendents to manage budgets. However, plans to expand this program are uncertain under the newly elected governor, Jenniffer González Colón. The popular Education Secretary, Eliezer Ramos Parés, was unexpectedly asked to resign but returned to office, stating the pilot was inefficient and costly to implement island-wide. He is exploring more limited decentralization approaches and a per-student funding formula.
While education remains the largest budget item, Puerto Rico spends significantly less per student compared to U.S. states. The federal government plays a crucial role in supplementing local funding, with over 68% of Puerto Rico’s education budget coming from federal sources. Linda McMahon, Trump’s new Education Secretary, stated the administration would meet legal obligations to students, even as department operations might be scaled back.
Efforts like the Flamboyán Foundation’s literacy initiative show promise, with significant professional development for teachers. However, the transition to improved educational outcomes is slow, and there is uncertainty about future federal support. The Supervisory Board, initially protested, has reduced the island’s debt and increased education spending, focusing on translating investments into better student outcomes.
Puerto Rico’s educational challenges are compounded by leadership changes and political appointments. Ramos, having met with McMahon, noted a supportive conversation but remains cautious about policy impacts. As public school enrollment declines, decisions on expanding charter schools or closing traditional ones are inevitable. Despite these challenges, there is hope for continued progress toward a student-centered education system.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
